Panthers recap comeback season

Coach Brian Morrison’s 15th year coaching Creston football started with an 0-4 bust, but the team pulled together to finish 4-1 in the last five games.

Graduating another big class, the team boasted 22 seniors after 25 seniors a year prior.

The team met Nov. 24 for the end of season banquet to recap the year.

The Panthers were 4-5 on the season and 4-1 in district play, falling only to Nevada. With a win over Harlan and a Harlan victory against Nevada, the three teams tied for the district title.

Only two teams could make the playoffs though and the Panthers’ slow start factored into their being kept out of the playoffs.

Morrison credited the seniors for leading the team to its turnaround.

“We were improving every week, but it wasn’t showing up on Friday nights,” Morrison said. “The seniors showed up every week and worked.”

Nine seniors earned all-district honors: Weston Trapp, Brayden Schoon, Xander Drake, Josh Schaefer, Casen Dryden, Lucas Travis, Mattias Schultes, Tyson Looney and Jayden Myers.

Team Awards

Trapp, the team’s sole all-state player, earned the title of team offensive MVP for his outstanding rushing performance.

“We’ve had a tremendous amount of players that were really really good in the running back position,” Morrison said. “But Weston doesn’t take a backseat to any of those kids. He had a tremendous season for us both yardage-wise and as a leader.”

Trapp logged the most offensive yards in the district this season with 2,025. His eight 2-point conversions was also a district-high.

He had 22 total touchdowns including 18 rushing.

Lucas Travis was named defensive MVP. His position was vital as he was one of only a few returning starters from the 2023 team that earned a spot in the state semifinals.

“He was first team unanimous all district,” Morrison said. “If you know our district, unanimous is a tremendous feat. He was a team leader, a captain. We’re going to miss him.”

Travis led the defense in tackles with 71, the third most in the district. His team-high 7.5 tackles for loss was the fourth-most in District 6.

Drake earned the special teams MVP title.

“I can’t recall a time we’ve had a kid return touchdowns, at least over one, in a season,” Morrison said.

He was invaluable as a returner, leading the district with 513 kickoff return yards and two returned for a touchdown.

Sophomore Coltyr Frey was named Scout Team MVP for his work getting varsity players ready for the upcoming matchup.

“Numerous players step up every week to give us a great look,” Morrison said. “I thought [Frey] was consistently the player for us that stood out.”

For the 15th straight year, the team had a cumulative GPA over 3.25.

AWARDS

Team Captains: Xander Drake, Weston Trapp, Josh Schaefer, Lucas Travis.

Offensive MVP: Trapp

Defensive MVP: Travis

Special Teams MVP: Drake

Scout Team MVP: Coltyr Frey

All District 1st Team: Weston Trapp, Brayden Schoon, Lucas Travis, Tom Mikkelsen.

All District 2nd Team: Xander Drake, Tanner Ray, Gunner Martwick, Mattias Schultes, Davin Wallace, Jackson Pettegrew.

All District Honorable Mention: Josh Schaefer, Casen Dryden, Tyson Looney, Jayden Myers.

All State 2nd Team: Trapp